JOIN THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN, INC. INFORMATION SESSIONS: Tuesday, Sept. 5: Huntsman Hall 365 | Wednesday, Sept. 6: Steinberg-Dietrich Hall 213 Thursday Sept. 7: The DP Office (4015 Walnut, near Metropolitan Bakery)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 VOL. CXXXIII NO. 67
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
FOUNDED 1885
ROBERTA NIN FELIZ | Staff reporter
CAMILLE RAPAY | DESIGN EDITOR
V
arious reports this past summer have shown that virtually all major tech companies from Google to Facebook struggle with diversity. Penn, which has one of the top Engineering schools in the country, is no exception. According to Penn’s diversity statistics, 7 percent of Penn undergraduates are black, and slightly over 10 percent are Hispanic. These numbers are even lower in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Associate Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Yulanda Essoka said the office receives an estimate of the number of students who selfidentify as a minority every year. The most recent numbers indicate that, of the total 800 Engineering students majoring in computer science at
Penn, only 46, which is less than 6 percent, self-identified as a minority. Computer and Information Science Department Chair Sampath Kannan said the estimated figures for the graduating class of 2017 in Engineering is 5.4 percent for African-American students and 4.3 percent for Hispanics, but added that it’s difficult to determine the exact number of underrepresented students because of the small sample size. Kannan also said there is still work to do in “attracting African-American and Hispanic students to our major in numbers similar to Penn’s overall numbers.” College Junior Brandon Obas, who is double-majoring in computer science and cognitive science, said he believes that one way Penn can
make it better for students of color is by hiring more diverse faculty within the Computer and Information Science Department. “If I saw an African-American man teaching me computer science, I would be really inspired and more comfortable seeing someone who looks like me teaching a subject I’m so interested in,” Obas said. In 2011, Penn launched the “Action Plan for Faculty Diversity and Excellence” to increase the percentage of underrepresented communities among the faculty, but six years later, data on the project showed mixed results. As of fall 2016, only 8 percent of the faculty in the Engineering SEE ENGINEERING PAGE 3
How off-campus housing works for students on financial aid Moving off campus is more complex for those on aid ALIZA OHNOUNA Senior Reporter
Every year, thousands of Penn students move off campus, often to save on college expenses. However, reports from students suggest the University doesn’t readily provide assistance to those who choose to do so. The process seems particularly stressful for students with financial aid, who have to find their own housing on top of navigating complicated policies from both Student Financial Services and external leasing companies. Living off-campus often requires students to produce large sums of money up-front, which can also be a challenge for students on financial aid. A College sophomore and member of Penn First who chose to remain anonymous in fear of retaliation from SFS, was awarded an external scholarship of $15,000 during his freshman
year, which he was intending to use for his housing off-campus. He was shocked over the summer when he realized SFS had reduced his grant money by $15,000 after he reported his scholarship. Since this student had already signed a lease before he learned that his grant money was being deducted, he is continuing on this lease for the year with help from his parents. College senior and Penn First member Sarah Figgatt lived oncampus last semester. On top of a work-study job and a generous financial aid package, Figgatt worked 40 hours a week at a restaurant, but still wasn’t able to afford her living expenses. She decided to live off-campus this semester to save money — and many other students living off campus cite cost savings as a primary reason for doing so. Elaine Papas Varas, the University director of financial aid, said the sticker price for many off-campus apartments don’t include all costs — apartment com-
financial aid FOR STUDENTS LIVING ON & OFF CAMPUS
47%
of students received financial aid
plexes often bill their utilities separately and students also have to pay to furnish their rooms. This suggests that off-campus housing isn’t necessarily cheaper than living on campus, though the aid packages SFS is offering to students living off-campus this year don’t seem to bear this out.
OPINION | Please go past 45th Street “Across our campus, the ideals of inclusive and open community are fundamental to the Penn experience.” PAGE 5
SPORTS | Torgersen is on the move
Penn’s recently graduated star quarterback was released by the Atlanta Falcons, but he signed for the Washington Redskins within days. BACKPAGE FOLLOW US @DAILYPENN FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ONLINE AT THEDP.COM
Every year, SFS conducts a survey of 114 off-campus residences and calculates a reasonable cost for living off-campus. Its estimations are based on the cost of a two-bedroom apartment divided in half, and Varas said this method is standard for financial aid offices at other schools
across the country. This year, SFS can offer up to $8,217 for students living offcampus. If they are on a 12-month lease, students receive $685 each month. For on-campus housing, students can receive up to $9,818 in their financial aid package, suggesting that living on-campus
NEWS Students affected by Harvey
NEWS Single-gender clubs adjust policies
PAGE 2
PAGE 3
is actually more expensive. The policies surrounding financial aid for off-campus housing can also pose additional challenges to students on financial aid. Aid for off-campus housing is SEE FINANCIAL AID PAGE 3
SEND NEWS TIPS TO NEWSTIP@THEDP.COM CONTACT US: 215-422-4640